Alarm-signal.



PATBNTED JUNE 26, 1906.

R. J. ZORGB. ALARMy SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED SEPTQ, 1905.

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PATENTBD JUNE 26, 1906.

R. J. ZORGE. ALARM SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED sEPL. 1905.

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ROBERT J. ZORGE. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NORTO ZORGE SAFETY RAILVAY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPO- RATION OF ILLINOIS.

Specificationv of Letters Patent.

ALARM-SIGNAL.

Patented June 26, 1906.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. Zonen, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Alarm-Signals, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates particularly to means for giving warning to an engineer approaching an open switch with his train; and my primary object is to provide a device which will be preparatorily set when the switch is thrown open, which device will operate to detonate a torpedo or torpedoes when a train passes over in approaching the switch.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure I represents diagrammatically a portion of a track equipped with my im`- proved alarm device; Fig. 2, a sectional view of a torpedo-box employed; Fig. 3, a section taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a sectional view of a modication; Fig. 5, a similar view of the same, showing a different position of the parts; and Fig. 6 a plan view of the same` In the construction illustrated in Figs. I to 3, A represents the main line of a track; B, a side track; C, a switch-point operated by any convenient means, (not shown,) and D my improved device connected with the track and the switch-point thereof and operating to cause a series of explosions in the event that a train passes over while the switch is open. The device D comprises a box d, arranged adjacent to a rail a of the track at a distance from the switch-point and provided at its bottom with a series of sockets d receiving explosive tablets d2; a pivoted lid or lever d3, carrying a series of pivoted plungers or firing-pins d4; a spring-held slide d5, movable longitudinally of the member d3 and joined by links (Z6 to the short arms Z7 of the I members di; a wire or cable d8 serving to depress the member d" when the switch-point is closed to the slide, and a wire d serving to actuate the slide d5 against the force of its spring and throw the members d4 to the {iring position when the switch-point is open. A spring d10 tends normally to throw the member d3 to the elevated position illustrated when the switch-point is thrown to the open position and the restraining force exerted through the wire d8 is released. The

l wires pass over suitable pulleys, as indicated. When the switch-,point is closed, the force` eX- erted through the wirel d is withdrawn and the spring connected withthe slide di moves the slide toward the free endof the member d3, thereby folding the members (Z4 within the lid d3, as indicated by the dottedv lines. Therefore when the member d3 is lowered in the operation of closing the switch-point C the members d4 will lie inoperatively above the sockets d. In case a train passes over while the parts are intheposition indicated by Jfull linesin Fig. 2 the member d3 will be engaged by thewheel of the engine, for, instance, andwill bedepressed tothe dotted position shown in the lower portion of Fig. 2, the members d4 entering the sockets one after another andcausing a seriesor1 explosions.`

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, D represents` a modified embodiment of my invention. It comprises a box d, having a movable lid or. member i12 equipped pivoted Jiiring or` striking members dw; a spring-actuated bolt d1, entered in a socket at the freeend ofthe member du when the latter is depressed; a bolt-retracting link d, extending from the bolt to the path of a pivoted actuating-lever dw, and wires dn 118, which connect the lever d1 with the switch-point. When the switch is closed and the main line clean the lever dw occupies the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, being out of the path of the wheels. When the switch is opened, the lever is thereby thrown to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the upper end of the lever being in the path ofthe wheels. In preparatorily setting the device the members Z13 are placed in the position shown in Fig. 4 out of range of the torpedoes d1. When a Wheel strikes the lever d1, it thereby moves the lever from the dotted position of Fig. 4 to the Jfull position of Fig. 5, actuating the link d and releasing the member d. In this movement a in d20 on the lever d1G actsupon the sliding link d, and in the Jfurther movement to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 the pin slips beneath the link, and the latter returns under i the force of the bolt-spring. When the member d rises, the iiring-pins drop by gravity, and when the Wheel passes over and depresses the member i12 the torpedoes will be caused to explode, the bolt operating at the same time to relock'the member C112. This IOO IOS

construction possesses the merit that the member (u is not affected bythe operation of the switch unless a train passes over while the lever d1 is standing, and, moreover', it is unnecessary to exert great force through the operating-wire, since the member 12 is not closed through such a medium. In addition to this the member c 12 never occupies a raised position except for a moment when the engine is passing, and it is not subjected to a succession of movements as the cars pass over it.

In actual construction suitable provision will be made 'to protect the parts from the elements, and it will be understood that various changes in details of construction may be made. Hence no undue limitation should be understood from the foregoing detailed description.

l/Vhat I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. rlhe combination with a switch-point, of a detonating device connected with and controlled by the switch-point and having a member occupying an elevated position adapted to be struck by a passing train when the switch-point is open, said device having firing means, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a switch-point, of a detonating device having a movable member controlled from the switch-point, and a striking member movably connected with said first-named member and automatically moved to the firing position when said Erstnamed movable member is raised, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a switch-point, of a member serving to receive an explosive body, and a spring-raised pivoted member controlled from the switch-point and equipped with a pivoted firing member.

4. In a device of the character set forth the combination of a chamber equipped with a plurality of sockets, amember pivotally connected therewith and equipped with a plurality of foldable firing members, and controlling means for said pivoted member, -for the purpose set forth. y

5. The combination with a switch-point, of a lever connected therewith and actuated in two directions thereby, and a detonating device having a striking member preparatorily set by the movement of said lever, for 4the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a switch-point, of a lever connected therewith and actuated in two directions thereby, and a detonating device having a pivoted member equipped with a foldable striking member, and a spring-held catch retracted by said lever, when thelatter is struck, thereby setting said pivoted member in position to be struck, for the purpose set forth.

RoBERT J. Zonen. 

